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Travelers sailing the Southern Hemisphere on a cruise from Hawaii to Australia also enjoy visits to some of the world's most beautiful islands in French Polynesia. Before you go, research each place that your ship will dock so you can maximize your time. In some ports, you'll have only eight or nine hours to explore. Planning all your activities and listing the sights you want to see can help you make the best use of your time.

Cruise Lines

Royal Caribbean (royalcaribbean.com) and Celebrity Cruises (celebritycruises.com) both sail from Hawaii to Australia. Passengers on Royal Caribbean will sail on either Radiance of the Seas or Rhapsody of the Seas. Rhapsody of the Seas can hold up to 1,958 people and features six hot tubs, an indoor/outdoor pool with a sliding roof and a rock-climbing wall. The Radiance of the Seas holds about 2,500 passengers and features pool tables that stay level as the boat sways. Celebrity cruisers will board the Century, which holds about 1,800 passengers and features a steam room and jogging track.

Itineraries

Celebrity Cruises offers an 18-night journey that leaves from Honolulu and docks in Lahaina, Maui and the French Polynesian areas of Papeete, Moorea, Raiatea and Bora Bora before leaving passengers in Sydney, Australia. Royal Caribbean offers two Hawaii to Australia options. Both last for 17 nights, and one docks in Lahaina before sailing to French Polynesia. The other skips a second Hawaiian island and instead spends more time in French Polynesia before crossing the International Date Line. Both trips include visits to New Zealand before stopping in Sydney.

Activities

Each port offers one-of-a-kind adventures. In Lahaina, hike the 10,000-foot Haleakala volcano or journey to Hana, a small town on Maui's northern shore. Travelers visiting New Zealand can go sandboarding on the Hokianga Giant Dunes on the Bay of Islands. In Papeete, on Tahiti in French Polynesia, wander through the city center, where vendors sell knickknacks, pareos and black pearls. Bora Bora has quiet beaches, and visitors can also book guided adventures through the island's interior that feature sweeping views and commentary about the island's history. All the French Polynesian stops include opportunities for water sports, such as snorkeling or scuba diving.

Considerations

Most cruise lines offer Hawaii to Australia trips from September through November, which is Australia's spring. During those months, Sydney's temperatures can range from a low of 52 degrees F to a high of 75 degrees F. Meanwhile, Hawaii temperatures during those months hit about 80 degrees F. With such a wide range of temperatures, travelers should bring clothes suitable for all seasons. Cruises often hold formal dinner nights, and ladies should consider bringing a dressy covering for bare shoulders. Otherwise, shorts, jeans, T-shirts and a cardigan or sweatshirt should be sufficient.

Resources

About the Author

Based in Arizona, Claudia Stanic has worked for newspapers since 2007. Her work has also appeared in the magazine "Arizona Highlands." Stanic has a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from Temple University and has won numerous awards from the Arizona Newspaper Association.

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